Can I practice putting after finishing a hole?

Yes, you can practice putting or chipping after finishing a hole, but only on the green you just played, any practice green, or the next tee — never from a bunker and never if it slows things down (Rule 5.5b). The Committee can also ban it with a Local Rule, so check the notice board.

At a glance: permitted areas = green just completed + practice green + next tee; forbidden = bunkers + anywhere that delays play; penalty = general (2 strokes / loss of hole); Local Rule I-2 can override.

Where you're allowed to practice

Once you've holed out but before you tee off on the next hole, Rule 5.5b lets you hit practice putts or chips on the putting green of the hole you just completed. You can also use any designated practice green (Rule 13.1e) and the teeing area of the next hole — where the player with the honour plays first. These are the only spots on the course where practice strokes are permitted between holes.

What's not allowed

You cannot make those practice strokes from a bunker — even if the bunker sits right beside the green you just finished. The bunker ban is absolute under Rule 5.5b; for the full reasoning and penalty details, see Is practicing chipping from a bunker allowed between holes?. You also must not unreasonably delay play (Rule 5.6a); a few putts are fine, but lining up a dozen reads while the group behind waits will draw a penalty. Finally, the Committee may adopt Model Local Rule I-2 to prohibit all practice on the green of the hole just completed, so always glance at the local rules sheet before you drop a ball.

Penalty if you get it wrong

Breaching Rule 5.5 carries the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. Because the breach happens between holes, the penalty applies to the next hole you play. That turns a harmless habit into a scorecard killer, so stick to the permitted areas and keep the pace brisk.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Committee adopts Model Local Rule I-2 → All practice putting or chipping on or near the putting green of the hole just completed is prohibited, even though Rule 5.5b normally allows it.
• Play is suspended under Rule 5.7a → You may practice anywhere off the course, plus any on-course areas the Committee specifically allows, in addition to the normal Rule 5.5b locations. For the full details on what's permitted when play is stopped, see Can I practice during a suspension of play?.

What counts as "on or near" the green you just finished?

Rule 5.5b says you may practise "on or near" the putting green of the hole just completed. "On" is the putting surface itself. "Near" means the fringe, apron, or closely mown area immediately around that green — not the fairway 30 yards back, not a collection area 15 yards short, and not the rough beside the green. If you're unsure whether a spot counts as "near," play it safe and use the putting green proper, the practice green, or the next teeing area.

Keep reading: Ready Golf · honour and plays first from the tee · strokeplay

Frequently asked questions

Can I practice putting on the green I just finished?

Yes. Rule 5.5b explicitly permits practice putting or chipping on the putting green of the hole you just completed, plus any practice green and the next teeing area.

Does the permission cover chipping as well as putting?

Yes. The exception says "putting or chipping," so you may hit short chips around the green you just finished, the practice green, or the next tee — just not from a bunker.

What if the club posts a notice banning practice on the last green?

That notice is a Local Rule under Model Local Rule I-2. Once it's in effect, you cannot practice on or near that green at all; doing so incurs the general penalty.

Can I chip out of a greenside bunker after holing out?

No. The exception forbids practice strokes made from a bunker, even if the bunker borders the green you just played.

What's the penalty if I practice in the wrong spot?

General penalty — two strokes in stroke play (applied to the next hole) or loss of hole in match play.

Can I practice putting while waiting on the next tee?

Yes. The teeing area of the next hole is explicitly listed in Rule 5.5b as a permitted spot for practice putting or chipping between holes, provided you don't unreasonably delay play.

How many practice putts count as "unreasonable delay"?

There's no fixed number. A few putts or chips while your partners finish the hole is normal. Lining up multiple reads, re-putting the same line several times, or holding up the group behind you crosses the line. Rule 5.6a applies — keep pace with the group ahead.

Can I use a different ball for these practice strokes?

Yes. Rule 5.5b doesn't restrict the ball you use for practice putting or chipping between holes. You may use your original ball, a spare, or a practice ball — just don't play a practice stroke with a ball that's in play on the course.

Does this rule apply the same in match play and stroke play?

The permission is identical in both formats. The only difference is the penalty for breaching it: two strokes in stroke play (applied to the next hole), loss of hole in match play.